Gwen’s review of Sneak Peek by Jaci Burton and Shelley Bradley
Contemporary Erotic Romance released in print from Samhain 01 Jan 2009

Following are reviews of the two stories that make up the Sneak Peek Duet, from Shelley Bradley and Jaci Burton.  These were two very steamy, very fun stories and I enjoyed them immensely.

They’re released as eBooks now, but will be released by Samhain as a print anthology called SNEAK PEEK in “Fall 2008.”
(<–released Jan 2009 nice cover 🙂 )

Gwen’s review of Watch Me (Part 1 of the Sneak Peek Duet) by Shelley Bradley
Contemporary erotic romance eBook published 10 Jul 07 by Samhain Publishing

The Sneak Peek is a sex club that caters to exhibitionists and voyeurs.  This story tells how a professional ballroom dancer, Shanna, meets up with one of the owners of the club, Alejandro, and discovers a whole new side to herself.  This book explores alternative sex practices and fetishes, but it is done very tastefully.  It is definitely an erotic romance, so proceed with caution.

There are so many books on the market that pretend to deal with this side of the human sexual nature.  It’s nice to read a story that actually deals with this world without subsiding into cliches and weird storylines.  However, the woman on this cover has a rather unfortunate shadow in the nether regions – it could make one wonder just how alternative the sex is in this book.  It’s not that kind of alternative, not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Plus, ballroom dancing.  Isn’t that a form of artistic exhibitionism?

Here’s the book blurb:

To stop a blackmailer and achieve her dreams, she only had to do one thing: seduce the enemy.

Shanna York was set to achieve her glittering ballroom dreams and become a dance champion until her dance partner gets tangled up in scandal and blackmail. With the clock ticking and all her ambitions at stake, the last thing she needs is the gorgeous owner of a sex club tempting her with the forbidden.

Or maybe that’s the very thing she needs…

Alejandro Diaz has sizzled for Shanna since he set eyes on her months ago. Her repeated rebuffs will make her surrender that much sweeter. She’s ambitious and driven but so is he. When she asks for his assistance to ensnare a voyeuristic blackmailer with a video fetish, he doesn’t hesitate to help her stage a bedroom trap. But neither is prepared to face scorching, endless passion, the blackmailer’s real identity or the undeniable love that grows between them.

Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, manage a trois.

Read an excerpt.

I enjoyed the heck out of this book.  It was a cute story and a neat premise.  I haven’t read any books where one of the main characters was a professional ballroom dancer and I found the details of that interesting.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t know a foxtrot from a boxing match, but I found the details of being a professional anything interesting.

Grade: B+

Coming next from Shelley Bradley:
The Lady and the Dragon, Samhain, May 07 ebook coming out in print in 2008

Gwen’s review of Show Me (Part 2 of the Sneak Peek Duet) by Jaci Burton
Contemporary erotic romance eBook published 17 Jul 07 by Samhain Publishing

This book was as much fun as the first, but didn’t have as much of an edge, though I cared about these characters more and her writing is just smooth as silk.  I love Jaci Burton’s erotic scenes – they’re second to none.  Oh my goodness – I get all embarrassed reading her sex scenes when I’m in public – my face gets all hot.  It’s pathetic.  Nobody can see what I’m reading, but I blush nonetheless.

This book explores more of the consequences, or possible consequences, of exploring one’s alternative side.  It follows the love story of Del, one of the owners of the aforementioned Sneak Peek sex club, and a foundation organizer and fund raiser, Janine.  She’s uptight and he most decidedly is not.  The dichotomy is interesting.  Jaci does an admirable job describing the “moment of truth” so to speak – the moment Janine’s secret is to be released to one and all.  You feel sick at the stomach right along with her.

Here’s the book blurb:

He promises to indulge her secret fantasies, if only she dares to accept.

Socialite Janine Bartolino has always been in the public eye. Managing her late father’s philanthropic interests, she keeps her pastimes above reproach. But when a surprise thirtieth birthday celebration at a private club opens her eyes to wicked pleasures, and an intriguing man offers her the chance of a lifetime to indulge her every secret fantasy, Janine takes a leap of faith…at great personal risk.

Phillipe “Del” Delacroix knows what Janine wants, even if she isn’t aware of it herself – a chance to explore the world of voyeurs and exhibitionists. Soon, the once staid and reserved woman transforms into a daring and passionate lover, giving Del everything he could ask for in a partner. But when something happens that puts Janine’s reputation, her career, all she’s worked for, in jeopardy Del must prove that loving him is worth the risk.

Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language and woooo hooooo!!! sex in public places!

Read an excerpt.

Grade: B

Coming next from Jaci Burton:
Unwrapped, Samhain, Dec 07
Riding Wild, Berkley, Feb 08
The Demon’s Touch, Dell, 2008

Both Books are very much worth the time and money to read.  These two writers are in a short list of authors who can write erotic romance without making it seem oogie or peurile, AND still carry a plot (!).

Highly recommended reading. [syb note and in case you didn’t notice the print copy came out Jan of this year, so if you haven’t picked it up yet go get it :)]